Question Period Note: Blue Economy Strategy

Blue Economy Strategy

A comprehensive Blue Economy Strategy will be critically important to help ensure the health of our oceans, grow Canada’s ocean sectors, and support the prosperity and resiliency of our coastal communities.

Canada is a world leader when it comes to ocean conservation and protection—and the same should be true of the global blue economy. To achieve this, we want our Blue Economy Strategy to support innovation and push Canada to the forefront of the development of new and ground-breaking technologies. At the same time, we want to apply the latest scientific findings and best practices to steadily build prosperity within our healthy ocean space.

As we develop the Strategy, I am firmly committed to continuing to work with Indigenous groups, partners and stakeholders to promote economic opportunities while ensuring our oceans and their resources remain healthy for future generations.

Public engagement on the Strategy officially launched in February 2021 and ended in June 2021. We received extensive input throughout the engagement process and I am looking forward to developing a strategy that responds to what we heard.

• The Blue Economy was highlighted in the September 23, 2020 Speech from the Throne under the third foundation of the Government’s approach, “building back better.”
• Developing a comprehensive Blue Economy Strategy (BES) is a key mandate commitment for Fisheries and Oceans Canada. This priority was re-affirmed in your predecessor’s supplementary mandate letter from the Prime Minister on January 15, 2021. Specifically, it asked the Minister to “Continue to lead efforts to develop a comprehensive blue economy strategy aligned with Canada’s economic recovery and focused on growing Canada’s ocean economy to create good middle class jobs and opportunities for ocean sectors and coastal communities, while advancing reconciliation and conservation objectives. Investing in the blue economy will help Canada prosper while protecting our oceans.”
• Eight other Ministers were also asked to support the development of the strategy, having it cross-referenced in their supplementary mandate letters, including: Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages ; Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development; Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry; Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; Minister of Northern Affairs; Minister of Natural Resources; Minister of Transport; and Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade.
• The BES public engagement process was officially launched on February 8, 2021 and ended on June 15, 2021. Over a span of 158 days, engagement occurred with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners and a wide range of Canadians involved in ocean industries, environmental and social justice initiatives, academia, science, and research and development through a series of virtual roundtables and meetings with the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Parliamentary Secretary, and senior departmental officials. All Canadians were also encouraged to share their feedback by answering online survey questions or by submitting written input.
• The response to the blue economy engagement activities was extensive. A ‘What We Heard’ report summarizing the input received is currently being developed for release later this fall.
• The World Bank defines the blue economy as, “the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.”
• The blue economy includes a diverse range of oceans-based sectors (e.g., commercial fisheries, aquaculture, marine transportation, offshore-oil and gas, shipbuilding, port and harbour infrastructure, and tourism) that generate economic and social benefits for individuals, communities, and coastal nations around the world.
• The global blue economy prior to COVID-19 was rapidly expanding and creating significant opportunities for growth. As per a 2016 report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), global economic activities tied to the oceans was projected to double to over CAD $4 trillion by 2030. The blue economy has the potential to outperform the global economy as a whole, both in terms of value added and employment.
• In 2016, Canada’s ocean-based sectors contributed up to CAD 31.65 billion to the national economy (1.6 per cent of GDP) and approximately 300,000 jobs (1.6 per cent of national employment).
• With key assets such as: the longest coastline in the world; access to three oceans; diverse and highly-valued oceans resources; leading oceans research; and, marine conservation efforts, Canada is well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunities afforded by the growing blue economy.
• As the Government refocuses its agenda post-COVID-19, a forward-looking BES will set a vision for our ocean-related sectors and help guide future actions and investments to enable long-term sustainable growth, especially for coastal communities. The strategy will also advance our ocean conservation objectives and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
• Internationally – in 2018 Canada, Kenya, and Japan co-hosted the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference in Nairobi. In December 2020, the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, of which the Prime Minister is a member, released their centerpiece report which committed countries to develop Sustainable Ocean Plans. The BES will achieve this international commitment for Canada.

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